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Life Insurance for Cigar Smokers

Cigar smokers face a dilemma when it comes to finding a term life
policy that is appropriate for their needs. Cigars are not cigarettes
and many individuals do not consider it smoking to enjoy a cigar on
occasion. The problem is that life insurance will ask about smoking
and runs a urine test to determine if the body has any nicotine in
the system before issuing any type of policy. In many cases, cigar
smokers will find that the companies have stringent requirements to
qualify as a non-smoker when using cigars instead of cigarettes.

Regular Cigar Smoking:

Smoking cigars on a regular basis is considered smoking by many term
life insurance companies. Determining the number of cigars that is
considered smoking on a regular basis depends on the particular company.
Most companies will not count the celebratory cigar, such as when
a baby is born or on a wedding. They will, however, count cigars as
smoking if it exceeds a set limitation. This is done by testing for
nicotine in your urine during the medical exam. If there is no nicotine
shown in the specimen companies, such as Prudential Life, will issue
non-smoker rates. If you are in perfect otherwise, you are still eligible
for their Preferred Best rate. Not only companies follow Prudential
for this, they all have their own guidelines and limits.

Limitations vary between companies and some term life insurance policies
will not offer the best rates to cigar smokers at all. The best rates
are usually reserved for those who are non-smokers and who have excellent
health during a test.

The reason that smoking cigars on a regular basis is considered risky
is the amount of tobacco in a single cigar. Premium and high quality
cigars can contain as much tobacco as a pack of cigarettes. Since
this poses a health risk, the term life insurance companies consider
cigar smokers as a slighter high
risk individual even if he or she is otherwise in perfect health.

Smoking cigars on a regular basis can result in similar ailments
as cigarette, pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco. Smokers are known
to face a wide range of cancers, even if it was not cigarettes. The
good news is the rate is not set in stone. If you are issued a smoker
rate due to your nicotine levels, and you quit smoking cigars there
are ways to lower your rate for a cheaper
price. Say you purchase a $100,000 10 year
term life insurance policy at age 45 and you are issued the smoker
rate of $334.00/year. If two years down the road you quit smoking
altogether you can now qualify for the non-smoker rate of 47 year
old man which would be $164.13/year.The more coverage you purchase the higher the costs. If
that same 45 year old smoker purchased a million dollar life insurance
policy it would cost over $2,000.00. If in 2 years that person quit
and could qualify for the non-smoker rate, 1 million
dollars of life coverage would only cost $910.00. (please note
these were sample quotes using Protective Life Insurance and are not
binding).

Despite the risks, some insurance companies do make allowances for
celebratory cigars. This provides hope for those occasional smokers
who are not regularly enjoying a cigar.

Occassional Cigar Smoker:

The limited cigar usage depends on the particular company. Some term
life insurance companies will allow the occasional cigar, often with
a set limitation on who qualifies for the best non-smokers rates.

A common qualification for non-smokers rates when enjoying an occasional
cigar in celebration of a birth, wedding or similar special occasion
is that the habit should not exceed 12 cigars in a year. This means
one cigar a month as part of a celebration.

Companies that allow more than the once-a-month cigar have a secondary
rate rather than the best rate available. The rate applies to those
who smoke one cigar a week or less throughout the year. The individual
is still considered a smoker, but the premium rate for good health
applies, which is much lower than regular smokers rates.

Beyond the limitation on the number of cigars, which varies by company,
many term life insurance policies also require a test for nicotine.
The nicotine test ensures that the individual is telling the truth
about cigar usage and that he or she is an occasional smoker rather
than a regular smoker.

Rate Consideration:

Few term life insurance policies offer the best rates to cigar smokers.
Some companies will consider any cigar smoking, even celebratory and
occasional cigars, as smoking. As a result, cigar smokers can expect
higher rates than the best non-smokers rates in most situations.

While many term life companies will consider cigars in the same category
as cigarettes, others cater to those who occasionally smoke a cigar.
These companies do not usually offer the best non-smoker rates, but
do have a separate category for cigar smokers that is better than
the rates offered to regular cigarette smokers. If you have any medical
conditions such as asthma
or sleep apnea
that may be negatively effected by your smoking they may not qualify
you for non-smoker rates. Even in the scenario they do, a flat fee
premium may still be added to your policy due to the fact you are
raising the rate of complication with your medical condition by smoking.

The cigar smoker rates are usually a mid-ranged expense for term
life insurance. The individual is not considered a non-smoker, but
might be able to obtain the second-best rates for good health and
limited smoking.

Consistent cigar smoking will result in the same high rate as regular
cigarette smoking. Smokers will obtain much higher rates as a direct
result of the higher risk to health in the future.

Determining Smoker or Non-Smoker:

Insurance for cigar smokers is not always a smoker's rate. As a result,
it is important to determine whether an individual is considered a
smoker or a non-smoker before applying. The rates will vary depending
on the length of the policy. If you have plans to quit, or do quit,
you should consider locking in your rate for a longer period of time
such as 20 years or 30
years.

As a general rule, non-smokers must not have smoked within the last
three years. Some companies make allowances for occasional cigars,
but do not make any allowances for cigarettes. Exact requirements
and definitions are usually laid out in the insurance data.

Cigar smokers are in an unusual position when it comes to life insurance.
They are not always considered a smoker, but some companies will consider
even a single cigar in a year at the smoker's rate. The key is searching
for companies that allow celebratory cigars at the non-smoker's rate.

Our Philosophy

Give the consumer unbiased, objective information on their life insurance needs. Our primary goal is to inform the consumer and not just quote them misleading rates.